Could care less vs. Could not care less

Could care less

/kʊd kɛr lɛs/

An expression used to indicate that someone does not care at all about something, often used sarcastically or ironically.

Examples:

He might say he could care less, but he really does.You insist you could care less about the results, don't you?When it comes to dancing, I truly could care less.

Synonyms:

unconcerned

Antonyms:

This word has no antonyms

Could not care less

/kʊd nɒt keə lɛs/

Used to emphasize that one is not at all concerned or interested

Examples:

She could not care less about what others think of her.He could not care less if the concert got canceled.Frankly, I could not care less about their argument.

Synonyms:

indifferentunconcernedapatheticdisinterestednonchalant

Antonyms:

concernedinterestedattentivecuriouseager

Ways to tell them apart:

• Could care less suggests you still have some care to give, even if it's not a lot.
• Could not care less implies there is no care left to give, so your interest or concern is at zero.
• Remember: not is the key word that indicates a complete lack of interest.
• The phrase without not is often used incorrectly, so be mindful of it in speech and writing.
• Both expressions aim to indicate a low level of care, but only one properly expresses it.